(bottom l. to r) original Hotshots Ziad Allan along with Mirko Castillo and goalie Juan De La O (cq) (who is not an original team member). Coach Trevor Dawkins is standing. Photo on 7-13-99 at Hotshots practice facility while preparing to open the new season. HOUCHRON CAPTION (07/18/1999): Return engagement: Joining coach Trevor Dawkins, standing, are, from left, Ziad Allan, Mirko Castillo and Juan De La O.

St. John's recently hired one of Houston's soccer legends, inking Ziad Allan as its new boys head head soccer coach.

Fans may remember Allan from his playing days with the Houston Hotshots, a professional soccer team that competed in both the now-defunct Continental Indoor Soccer League and World Indoor Soccer League from 1994 before folding in 2001.

"We had a great run with the Hotshots," said Allan, an all-star center midfielder who took the Hotshots to back-to-back CISL finals appearances in 1996 and 1997 and led the league in scoring and assists. "It was a lot of fun."

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Blast from the past: St. John's recently hired Ziad Allan, who starred for the former Houston Hotshots, as its new head boys soccer coach. Allan twice led the Hotshots to the finals in the now-defunct Continental Indoor Soccer League.

Change of address: Before accepting the St. John's job, Allan spent 17 years at Kinkaid, serving as a varsity assistant girls soccer coach for the Falcons while also coaching junior varsity field hockey and girls lacrosse.

Plenty of ambition: Allan believes it's only a matter of time before St. John's competes for the top spot in the Southwest Preparatory Conference's upper division. The Mavericks placed eighth a year ago but posted a losing record (5-10).

Considering his extensive soccer background, Allan naturally drifted into the coaching ranks. He spent the past 17 years at Kinkaid, serving as an assistant head girls soccer coach for the Falcons as well as coaching junior varsity field hockey and girls lacrosse.

"I had strong relationships with the kids and parents and really enjoyed my time at Kinkaid," Allan said. "I made a lot of friends there."

Now Allan finds himself at St. John's, one of Kinkaid's chief rivals. However, the fact he is coaching boys soccer makes it a little easier.

Allan inherits a St. John's program that finished in eighth place in the Southwest Preparatory Conference's upper division and posted a 5-10 mark last season. After meeting several of his future players, he is extremely optimistic.

"There's a lot of talent, especially in the middle school," Allan said. "More importantly, I was impressed with the kids' attitude and chemistry."

Allan feels it's a matter of time before St. John's is vying for the SPC's Division I crown.

"We just need to be patient and work hard," Allan said. "The results will come."

Vincent Arduini, St. John's athletic director, said Allan is an outstanding addition to the Mavericks' coaching staff.

"We are very excited to have Ziad assume the leadership of our boys soccer program," Arduini said. "Along with his extensive professional playing experience, Ziad brings a tremendous amount of enthusiasm to our program. I was most impressed with Ziad's ability to connect with athletes and his passion to teach the game of soccer."

Aside from coaching at Kinkaid, Allan has been a mainstay with local club teams. He has hosted several camps, including the Spring Branch Memorial Sports Association.

"I enjoy teaching the game to young people," Allan said. "It's what I love to do."